Nutrient and sunlight availability limits the amount of vegetation, which,
in turn, limits wildlife diversity. However, many species are adapted to
cold water and thrive throughout this region, including walruses, polar
bears, belugas, narwhals, and several species of seals. These marine mammals
have thick layers of blubber to keep their bodies warm as they swim in the
icy waters feeding on fish, crustaceans, and zooplankton. One remarkable
bird, the ivory gull, is actually able to live here year-round a
major accomplishment! It scavenges for anything it can find, including fish
and marine mammal carcasses. Over 130 species of fish inhabit this ecozone.
Many of the organisms in the Arctic Ocean are benthic invertebrates including
anemones, clams, worms, sea stars, and sea spiders. |